Not sure which tests to order

[Babyname2025]

Currently 9 weeks pregnant. would be in singapore when I am due for my 12 week scan. I tried to schedule the 12 week scan a bit earlier before I fly (it's for my sisters wedding and I am there for 3 weeks) but the nhs said it is too early.

They said I can do the ultrasound in singapore and the nhs would upload the ultrasound onto my records and I would attend the 12 week scan after I return as well so having an additional scan for peace of mind..

I don't quite know what kind of scan to go for. I am trying to establish what they look out for in the 12 week scan. My sister is a doctor and she is advocating I go for the harmony test in singapore (that test for down syndrome) which cost 1400 sgd (around 800 quid) . I am wondering if that is ott and anyway it seems very overpriced. Even in harley St it only costs 550 quid!

I have spoken to a couple of private gynaecologists in singapore. You need them to order the scan. I don't think I can go state subsidized even though I pay health insurance in singapore (have lived in the uk since I was 19, 32 this year). It would take too long for a polyclinic referral.

One suggested the nipt or harmony test in addition to ultrasound and appointment.

You need a nuchal scan, it does more than just downs etc (which is what NIPT/Harmony does), also looks at bone formation etc - you can also do NIPT anytime from 10 weeks so no point doing it there if more expensive. Nuchal scan can usually be done between 11-14 weeks, if that's when you're travelling you might want to consider slightly changing your flights. The fetal medicine centre in London do them privately and might be more flexible than nhs. I just googled Singapore nuchal scan and a few places came up so contact them. If they really need a referral you might be able to get one here before you go

If you want to pay do NIPT (harmony same thing).

If you don’t want to pay you can do a scan on your return. If you are past 13/14 weeks then you will do the quad test on NHS which only checks for Down’s syndrome

NIPT is a type of prenatal test for chromosomal abnormalities via a blood test. There are several companies which offer it - in the UK the common ones are IONA / SAFE, TDL or Panorama. Harmony is no longer used in the UK from my research (it's what I had on Harley Street with my first child) as the other companies are now more reliable. This can be done from 10 weeks but doesn't replace the 'dating scan' the NHS do at 12 weeks (typically). The costs I've found are £375 - 550 including a scan so £800 seems a lot for this. Window to the womb offer just the blood test for £275

Are there any baby scan type companies in Singapore? An equivalent to window to the womb?

I am going through a gynae probably and booking the scans I need. But do I really need the harmony or panorama scans. I would be doing the nhs scan after I fly back.

What's the point in paying for expensive scans when you're away when you're going to have the NHS scan when you get back?

I'd say not at that cost - if you're interested in having them they'd be a lot less here. You can wait until the abnormalities scan too and see how you feel at that stage?

If you’re going to do the NHS ones when you’re back there’s little point doing any other ones beforehand

I would be back mid Jan. I think it's a good idea to have a scan before that when I am actually at 12 weeks.

Why though? What are you hoping to find out or achieve?

Peace of mind. It's not so bad for the basic scan plus gynae.

I think around 600 sgd which is around 400 quid including consultation. Singapore government gave me 600 sgd as part of my citizen bonus this year so I guess I can spend it?

My midwife said I should do the ultrasound in singapore too

If it's just reassurance then you don't need any tests! Just a scan to look at the baby and hear the heartbeat.